It is clear that what I regard as history is not to be found within the devotion to trivia displayed by the folks running the organization today. As I have said here before, everything about the railways involved and their socio - cultural setting is worth exploring. However, a lack of sense of proportion is a fatal flaw in covering any historical, or for that matter current, event . Those in charge, running the society, lack such. So logic demands that I vote with my dollars after 20 + years of membership, and leave. I have, but its too bad that model railroading trivia buffs have seized the day in this society. It once was a fine historical rail group. Good-Luck, Peter Boylan
Peter- I, too, was once a member. I know others who have left. It all has a place in a society- Memorabilia, history, modeling, etc. And does need to be all in there. Not everyone is interested in each, or all. But there certainly should be an attempt at a balance. I suppose that we could find shortcomings with any society and their magazine. I can name one, (but I won't), which is more concerned with cost and timely delivery, than having historically accurate content. At that point, how it can be titled a "historical" society becomes puzzling. That's how bad information gets circulated, and achieves credibility which takes enormous time and effort to correct. Now I suppose someone will make a poor assumption, and tell me all about how I should get involved. I HAVE BEEN, FOR MANY, MANY LOOOOONG YEARS, in my particular society. It's helped a little. But the larger problem has not been resolved, and that sadly has been stated as not going to happen. I'm losing my will to participate. :tb-sad: Boxcab E50
Wow, you sure showed them. I might have to make a contribution to make up for your departure. You missed a great article on C&NW's entry into Kansas City this issue. Sorry to see you go.
I just joined CNWHS, thinking it was going to provide some info on my grandfather and friends who worked on the NorthWestern in South Pekin Ilinois, in the 40's to late 50's. I certainly enjoyed the first magazine I got, so I'm happy now. Am I missing something? Should I take what I read with a grain of salt? Saw some things I never new about, and was glad to learn about them.
After C&NW merged into UP, C&NWHS seemed to run short of C&NW materials to report. There began to be a bunch of UP is doing this, UP is doing that. Slowly, a batch of folks left. If it fills your needs, that's great. I have no regrets, as I was involved in some railroad background activities then, I did not need to hear about what UP was doing. I could care less about that RR, it never interested me. Besides, I got info faster and for free from the professional side. Boxcab E50
A while back I wanted some info and contacted C&NWHS and was told if I was not a member there would be a fee for the info I needed. I was also told that I could browse there site for free. I could not find the info on the site so I sent the fee and two months later received a letter that the information I requested was no longer available do to theft of many files stored at Northern Illinois U. This I felt to be a shame. I also wondered if they did not have the files then why did they charge me. Go figure!
